In The Hangar Podcast with Dan and Chelsea

Flutter is one of aviation’s most dangerous aerodynamic problems—and in the early days of flight, pilots and engineers learned about it the hard way. In this episode of In The Hangar, Dan Millican sits down with A&P/IA Chelsea Smith to talk about control surface flutter: what causes it, why it can become destructive so quickly, and how decades of engineering and hard-earned lessons have helped make modern aircraft safer. In this episode:

• What control surface flutter actually is
• Why excessive airspeed can trigger flutter
• The importance of properly balanced ailerons, elevators, and rudders
• Why trim tabs and worn hinges deserve attention
• How painting or repairing a control surface can change its balance
• Why drain holes matter more than you might think
• Flutter considerations in experimental aircraft
• What pilots should know about VNE and aircraft modifications
• Chelsea’s firsthand experience with questionable maintenance practices
• How manufacturers test aircraft for flutter

What was your WORST Flight ever?  What was your best?  Dan and Chelsea look through their logbooks to talk about the best and worst flight they done.

Has Chelsea Smith’s last name changed yet?  Why did she become an aircraft mechanic?  Dan introduces Chelsea to the In The Hangar audience to get to know her.

India’s AAIB is supposed to release the report on the tragic Air India 171 crash by June 12.  A month ago they were on schedule.  Now they’re saying they won’t have the final in time.  Also, a helicopter crash kills a new groom and the pilot and seriously injures the bride. A Lufthansa 787 has a nose gear collapse in Frankfurt. The NTSB still has some docket cases down.  And Dan Fordice dies in a P-51 crash.

In this weekly aviation news recap podcast, Dan discuss the fail at the Sydney drone show, the removal from the boarding area of a family with a 13 year old Tourettes son, the crash of a WWI triplane replica Fokker in Texas, the collision between the paraglider and the Cessna in Austria, the attempted hijacking of a United flight in the US, and an explanation as to why victims families would sue the estates of the UPS MD-11 pilots.

Aviation news for the week. The NTSB holds a two day hearing on the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville– what we learned from it. A United captain was fired for allegedly whistleblowing. A Minnesota man claims that crows was what he was shooting at, not aerial firefighting airplane. A sinkhole closes a runway at LaGuardia. Air France and Airbus found guilty of manslaughter in Air France 447 crash. And this is why the NTSB pulled down the docket system.

Weekly aviation news recap– Fedex has returned the MD-11’s to service after the tragedy in Louisville last fall. United CEO Scott Kirby in the news again, this time for flying American Airlines. Sporty’s founder Hal Shevers passes away. 11 People rescued after their KingAir 300 lost engines and avionics and ditched in the Atlantic. FAA has announced initiative to have vehicles at busy airport supplied with transponders. A lawyer is saying he’s filing a suit against the City of Denver on behalf of three passengers because of their traumatic experience watching a person hit by the engine of their Frontier flight. And a piper cherokee crashes into a house in Akron killing the two pilots. Finally, we cover some details on the prelim report from the Cessna 421C crash near Wimberley, Texas.

Slips and Skids: https://youtu.be/RKfG3lWCZ80?si=GbLvb_zkENzALxmh

NTSB Interview: https://youtu.be/L4xPWbpvWmM?si=IlyyAWtmA_AOhRMM

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Dan and Christy discuss the crash of Air Midwest 5481 that took 21 lives on January 8, 2003 at Charlotte International Airport.  And now another 1900D has crashed in South Sudan just a few weeks ago.

Dan and Christy talk about new career opportunities for her as an airline pilot, and also what the lifestyle is like working flying the big jets.

Dan and Christy pull the veil back on what it’s like to film the studio talk show “In The Hangar” and recall their favorite moments so far. Season 9 to record on March 7-8 2025.